— When I first saw & heard the actual footage of Josh’s comments, I couldn’t really tell if the camera was messed up or the clip was. I’m glad to know it’s the camera. Looks like somebody was using a Flip.

— Not only does Obama have to worry about dumb rappers using his name in vein, now he has to worry about dumb ballers using it as well.

— Who ever Josh’s shoe contract is with will see a boost in sales & should pay him more. Their product has to get quite a bit of camera-time in the No. 29’s mouth.

— After watching the news clip of Winston-Salem folks, I don’t know if just Josh or if his whole hometown drank water with high levels of something that makes their speech slurred. At first, I blamed it on Josh’s heavy marijuana usage.

— While some are appalled by Howard’s statements, I’m equally appalled @ racist responses from various people hittin up Mark Cuban’s blog. But my outrage only lasted for a brief moment because then I was happy to be living in America, a land where both sides can say whatever the fuck they want.

— When I was 16, I was beginning to read for myself, discovering history’s mysteries & picking up my militancy. Early in the school year, I decided that the Pledge did not apply to me, therefore I wasn’t gonna stand up for it anymore. I even convinced Cookiehead that he shouldn’t stand either, joining my small act of civil disobedience.

Unbeknown to me, Ms. Priestley, my first period Chemistry teacher, called my Mom. She, in turn, called my Dad. He, in turn, informed me that he & several of my uncles had fought in Vietnam in the name of truth, democracy and all that crap.

I was not convinced.

He imparted to me a final piece of wisdom.

“You gone stand and pledge allegiance to me because if that white lady call the house again, I’mma stick my foot in ya ass. You can daydream, do whatever you want but you’ll be standing and you better be saying it loud.”

My Dad is one of those dudes who is not above exercising force to make sure thy will be done.

Earlier in the year many people (white and black) were angry at Barack Obama for saying that, “Americans have grown disgruntled at our current state of government.” Josh Howard is a prime example of those people.

I hear many people say, “I don’t vote because regardless they (judicial,executive,legislative) are going to do what they want anyway. Although I don’t agree with Josh saying “I’m black,” because that had nothing to do with the argument. Black people are one of the main reasons this country became a super power. I think, “The Boondocks” would just call this a “NIGGA MOMENT,” another young black man making himself look like an imbecile

09.19.08 at 12:47 pm

Gotty™

Nah, my pop really wouldn’t do shit b/c Josh aint his son lol.

I think there’s a better way to phrase it & son had to know saying it to ANY camera nowadays, the shit would be everywhere. He should’ve pulled a minor Kanye & got the camera lol.

09.19.08 at 12:57 pm

tres

1. No matter how much you think you been fucked over in this country, if you’re a citizen, you enjoy the benefits of citizenship. Try living in Cuba, or Haiti. Josh Howard became a millionaire for playing a sport in this country. I think paying a little respect is not too much to ask for.

And #2. Wasn’t he supposed to be like a super Christian? I remember reading an interview while he was still in high school where he actually said that his goal was to incorporate the crucifix into the NBA logo. Now look at him. This is why I’m for the NBA not drafting kids straight out of high school. Shit, even Michael Beasly just got busted with weed.

09.19.08 at 1:02 pm

Gotty™

^ nah son, that’s Dwight Howard of the Magic.

09.19.08 at 1:02 pm

Bigga Aka Me Gusta el Grande Nalgas!!!

Damn Josh should have pulled a Jordan or Lebron and don’t stay anything political; especially if you are not intelligent or Purple urple impaired to speak on the topic. It sounds like he was just mad because someone forgot the puff puff pass rules.

09.19.08 at 1:04 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. The Lurker

Dude has a bad habit of saying dumb shit on camera lol.

I can see where he’s coming from (none) but it’s obvious that dude has no filter whatsoever & just blurts out his personal views on life whenever somebody flashes a camera phone at him.

I just caught the ill vision, son…

“G’s To Gents: Black Athlete Edition”

09.19.08 at 1:07 pm

tres

Oh, ok. Wrong Howard.

09.19.08 at 1:09 pm

Bigga Aka Me Gusta el Grande Nalgas!!!

@Tres:

Parts of the benefits of citizenship is the right of Free Speech. Not that I am agreeing with what he said; I just wished he had an more thought out reason. For example Carlos Delgado protest of the national anthem because of the missle testing the US was doing in one of the small islands in Puerto Rico. That is a valid reason. Also he wasn’t drafted out of high school; he was draft as a senior. He graduated from Wake Forrest. That shows you what a Wake Forrest education is worth. LOL

09.19.08 at 1:12 pm

Bigga Aka Me Gusta el Grande Nalgas!!!

LOL@ “G’s To Gents: Black Athlete Edition”

They would need 2 manisons for that show.

09.19.08 at 1:24 pm

Jaycee

and to make matters worse, effective this morning he just lost his Brand Jordan sponsorship…

09.19.08 at 1:25 pm

Black Canseco

Dumb statement; smart idea.

There are lots of Black folks who understand what dude meant. Pledging allegiance to the flag/singing the star spangled banner is, in many ways, a co-sign of the hypocrisy of “all men created equal,” the double standards in justice, education, law enforcement, employment, valuing cultural contributions, etc. I think that’s what most black folks took away from what Howard said.

And just because you’re a rich black person doesn’t mean you don’t catch crap–word to Mos Def’s Nigga, Nigga. And Oprah vs. Hermes and the countless other lesser famous, lesser wealth black folks.

Personally i like when Black folks who’ve “made it” acknowledge inequities and hypocrisies in society. It challenges the “you’re rich so shut up, nigga” mentality so many people try to force on them.

Problem is Howard phrased his dissent so poorly, that even the validity of his point will be written off as that of an ig’nant smoked-out black ingrate. Especially given that the sports media is over 83% white women and white men covering mostly black and brown athletes–folks who athletics/income aside, they’d never associate with under any terms.

Far as i’m concerned, the messenger ain’t gotta be flawless if the message is right.

And maybe i’m giving Howard too much credit. Maybe he was just high, stupid and 25 and not thinking.

But i’ll still take this over black celebs who front like everything’s gravy and won’t stand for anything but a check and some praise. (I see you Tiger, Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, etc.)

09.19.08 at 1:25 pm

tres

@ Bigga..I had the wrong Howard. I’m eating lunch and reading this ish at the same time..the video was fuzzy, I was thinking of Dwight. My bust.

And I understand, completely. I’m dissin’ him for his dumbassness more than anything. Saying he’s not gonna respect the pledge just cause he’s Black is moronic. Katrina victims, you may sit. Millionaire athlete, do me a favor, and shut up. Is he donating money to improve schools in his home town? Is he volunteering in his community?
Carlos Delgado is one of the most humanitarian pro athletes in the country.[query.nytimes.com]
He protests, but puts his money where his mouth is as well.

09.19.08 at 1:30 pm

Black Canseco

If anyone gets a chance, read 40 Million Dollar Slaves by William Rhoden… it’s a dope book about how modern black athletes turn their back on social issues to appease sponsors, media, etc.

Funny how Howard lost is Brand Jordan deal. ( saw that elsewhere.) He can take illegal drugs. Beat up a woman if he wants, but disparage the anthem? That’s where we draw the line. Word to Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul Rauf.

@ Canseco- Rauf wins cuz while Howard was talkin crazy to his homies…Rauf (MIssissippi’s own, by the by) did that shit IN COLORADO. Cojones, my friend.

09.19.08 at 1:40 pm

tres

As a dumb teenager, me and my boys would clown Rauf on his tourettes. I remember in a tied game vs. the Knicks, he was bringing up the rock with a few seconds left in the 4th, and had one of his little fits, and John Starks stole the ball and scored to win the game. I’m sorry, shit still makes me chuckle.

09.19.08 at 1:48 pm

Black Canseco

hey, dude averaged 15 points in his very short career in the league. between the Tourette’s and converting to Islam, it’s amazing the guy got anything done. Media and fans ripped that cat just for walking in to door nevermind what he was saying…

Josh is a goof, but how come the deeper sentiment isn’t discussed. nobody listens when “average” people express this–you’re just told to get over it and stop complaining. it takes famous, powerful folks to speak up. and when they don’t stuff goes on longer than it should.

09.19.08 at 1:59 pm

tres

@Canseco,

If dude was out in his community talking to the kids, if he was standing with Black leaders and being a voice for civil rights, if he was at least having intelligent discussions about why Black people should have beef with the pledge, then OK. I’d be behind him 100%. But you can clearly see that he’s just talking out his ass.

09.19.08 at 2:01 pm

Gotty™

Well said Canseco

09.19.08 at 2:03 pm

Black Canseco

Tres,

maybe his is talking out his butt. i’m not saying he isn’t. but sometimes that’s how dissent comes out. We’ll recite Chris Rock’s words as gospel on race relations but at the end of the day, he’s just telling jokes and collecting a check. He ain’t in the community doing nothing.

I’m just sayin, cut the cat some slack and see if there’s a larger point worth looking into here.

People often say say and do high/drunk what they think sober. So is what the cat thinking valid on any level? I think that’s the bigger issue.

09.19.08 at 2:08 pm

Bigga Aka Me Gusta el Grande Nalgas!!!

Rauf could ball; I remember him when he was in LSU killing cats.

Black Canseco:

Schilling is a chump. He just talks to hear his own voice. He has no backbone despite all of he pitching talent. He waits till Manny is gone to get on him for his “Manny Being Manny” act. He goes on SI to attack steroid users, then when he is on a senate meeting on steroids with steroid user right next to him. He forgets he knows how to speak english like Sammy Sosa.

I hope Josh learned a lesson, instead of dissing the national anthem. Catch a DUI case its cheaper. LOL

09.19.08 at 2:16 pm

tres

haha, I was thinking of Chris Rock too. But even in jest, he’s at the very least giving reasons behind his statements. There’s a big difference between speaking up and talking shit. Howard was doing the latter. That’s just my opinion. He should be intelligent enough to have some discretion, and if he’s gonna make such statements, then I expect some accountability. If he can’t express either, he’s gonna catch flack.

09.19.08 at 2:33 pm

Bigga Aka Me Gusta el Grande Nalgas!!!

The thing that the media won’t discuss is that, he isn’t alone in thinking like that. And it goes across all races. There are people in this country that feel betrayed by the government. Speak to the desert storm/vietnam/war on oil!!! vet that has to fight through massive amounts of redtape just to get the medical assistant they deserve. Speak to the underpaid teachers, policemen, firemen who have to work that much harder to overcome the bad apples in their ranks. Speak to the thousand of people who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing.

09.19.08 at 2:37 pm

old.sole

my biggest beef is him doin it at a flag football game(charity event too.)
imagine if *random white celebrity* stopped a 5k cancer walk jus to voice his disapproval of oh lets say Obama…wut would america think?

09.19.08 at 2:39 pm

Blacka

Well said @ Canseco, that’s pretty much the consensus over here in Britain. The union Jack is seen a symbol of racism & its values well out of date by alot if not most British blacks. The star spangled banner is no different imo.
Dude spoke his mind to his peeps, nutin wrong with that…

09.19.08 at 2:45 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. The Dude

But what does this kinda of statement actually accomplish?

09.19.08 at 2:47 pm

Terek

When are heads gonna learn, you gotta THINK it, not SAY it

09.19.08 at 3:21 pm

Darius Sinclair (tm)

HAHA. That was tight piece right there. That’s some true parenting advice right there.

09.19.08 at 4:21 pm

PB

dumb-ass move…losing endorsements and the like.
He didn’t have to say that shit during the season
about balla’s puffin’. We all know they do it.

@Black Canseco..good points.
It’s a shame..almost as if the money
being made is in ‘hush’ form to keep
athletes quiet. No one speaks up on
real issues because losing the lifestyle
is not an option.

09.20.08 at 12:03 am

derz

personally i reckon this thing has been blown out of proportion. but that always happens with these sports stars. anything they say gets over-analysed, cos we go through our boring lives and ain’t got shit to talk about.

watching the footage, its pretty obvious duke was just joking around. even like dave chapelle style. you know when u just joking around with some ppl and then a cell phone camera comes on you, you feel like performin a bit for the camera. maybe say somethin controversial a bit, as a joke. “i’m black…obama and all that” it even rhymes. although yeh i guess he should not be joking during the national anthem, but is that such a bad thing? when you are watching a game with your mates on TV and the anthem comes on, do you all stand in silence, or do you continue joking around.

09.20.08 at 2:24 am

h.e.r.

winston saleeeeem ooowww we in the houu houuu (sorry)

we in winston salem have the same douchebags other cities have, “thanks to the internet” no, “via” to the moron who uploaded the footage for the media to talk more trash

whatever jerk took the time to take this from their cell phone and upload needs to be.. confronted

josh was just hanging with his folks, yall know how yall boys do.. just talking, saying stupid stuff to entertain the people around you, and even if he did mean it, so what leave the man alone, i’m SURE he didn’t think this would ever be blown into the media and back to his home town or else he wouldn’t of said that

this makes me smh, stupid kid who uploaded it.. we LOVE josh here in WS so even the people that we’re questioned for this report should of said SOMEthing to get the heat off Josh.. WHILE they’re haning at the court he bought us

CP3 weekend is happening right now, chris paul has his own weekend here in winston